Regional jails could reduce counties' costs

Wednesday

NEW PALTZ — Two local think tanks believe a regional jail system could reduce the construction costs for counties faced with state mandates to build new jails.

NEW PALTZ — Two local think tanks believe a regional jail system could reduce the construction costs for counties faced with state mandates to build new jails.

Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties have already pledged their support for a $50,000 state grant to study whether sharing jail space would create efficiency and cost savings.

The study would be undertaken next year by the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach at SUNY New Paltz, with the support of Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress. Other counties, including Dutchess, Greene and Rockland might also participate.

A preliminary study by the CRREO found that our region — stretching from Rockland to Sullivan — has enough jail beds to handle current and projected needs. The average daily population in those jails in 1,860, while the capacity is 2,320, the group said.

The problem is that not all those beds are located in places where they're most needed.

For instance, Orange County has 225 more beds than its average jail population. But Sullivan County is so short on space that it often has to board inmates at other facilities.

"We find that there's capacity now in the region to meet actual and projected needs," said Gerald Benjamin, director of the CRREO. "That doesn't mean that a regional approach is justified yet — it means that it's promising."

The regional system could allow some jails to house inmate populations, like women and juveniles, at other facilities. That means counties like Sullivan and Dutchess, faced with mandates to build multimillion-dollar jails, could build smaller facilities.

"We think a collaborative use of existing facilities would be effective because of capital cost avoidance," Benjamin said.

Sullivan County has already convinced the state Commission of Correction to let it build a smaller jail. The commission had originally demanded that Sullivan build 420 new beds, but that figure was conjured up with casinos in mind. After a meeting with county officials, the commission sent a letter this summer agreeing in principle toroughly 350 beds.

"If we get some joint cooperation, maybe we can build a smaller jail," Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis said of the upcoming study.

According to the New York State Association of Counties, roughly 20 counties are currently mandated to build new jails, for a total cost upwards of $1 billion. Given the economic hardships facing governments, NYSAC executive director Stephen Acquario thinks the correction commission would be open to regional solutions.

"County after county has expressed outrage over these mandates," he said. "Because of the economic burdens now, we think there could be some middle ground here."

abosch@th-record.com

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